"Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" is the resurrection of a magazine that was first published in the late 70s, and ended after only a five year run. Today, nearly 30 years later and in a totally new medium, it is once again being published by Angelo Spagnolo, a lifelong Pittsburgher and avid sports fan of all teams "Black and Gold". This site is a tribute to Pittsburgh, where the home teams all wear the same uniform colors. "It's a hard-drinkin' town with an all Pittsburgh sports problem!!!"

Monday, January 5, 2009

There have been rumors that Bill Parcells may leave the Dolphins so as to possibly take on another hopeless case franchise. If he does, do you know what his new nickname would be?

Dolphin-free Tuna.

Parcells found out yesterday that his team maybe isn't as good as he originally thought going into the playoffs, after it was turned into sushi by a legitimate playoff team, the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens, as we all know, are the Steelers biggest and most intense rival. The two teams played a game for the ages a few weeks ago that the Steelers won...certainly one of our most satisfying conquests since our last SuperBowl victory. But really folks, as fans of Steelers-style football --that tough, hard-hitting, sometimes-brutal play-- who imitates the Steelers brand of football better than the Ravens? No one! Remember, imitation is the highest form of flattery. Face it, if you didn't hate them so much, or if our town didn't have a franchise of our own, you'd love this team!

They're based on defense which is what our team has always been known for, and they have a collection of hard-nosed players that any Steeler fan would love to have for themselves because we love this type of football.

The stars may be lining up for a third game against the Ravens this year, and that's not really a good thing. The Steelers should be able to handle San Diego at home. It will be very tough because the Chargers are playing well right now, but we should prevail. But I'm especially interested in seeing the Titans-Ravens game on Saturday. If the Ravens win, which I feel is eminently possible, then this would set up a cataclysmic showdown at Heinz Field which would be the closest thing to a SuperBowl game ever being played in Pittsburgh.

Above: All-world free safety, Ed Reed. Below team leader, Ray Lewis.

But just to show you how well the stars are lining up, even if the Titans win, we get to play them on the road where we were lit up just a few weeks ago in a very poor effort by the black & gold. We will have plenty of motivation going into this contest.

After having lost as many AFC championship games at home as we have, I'm almost pulling for the Titans to beat the Ravens. I really don't want to play them again, not after having beaten them twice already this year. What are the chances for pulling off a hat trick against a team that's as tough as they are?

I know, the fans deserve to have the game in Pittsburgh and it's good for the local economy too. But I really can't say that our chances of making it to the SuperBowl would be any better playing at home against the Ravens than they would be against the Titans on the road. That may sound heretical, but I truly believe it.

That's because playing the Ravens is the closest thing the Steelers will ever find to playing a mirror image of themselves and that could never be a good thing. All you had to do was watch yesterday's game and imagine the Ravens players wearing black & gold. They do a mean Steelers imitation, just ask Ted Ginn Jr. who was de-cleated a'la Hines Ward-style yesterday during an Ed Reed interception return.

The interesting part about the NFL playoffs is that you don't have to beat everyone to win the SuperBowl, just the team you're called upon to go up against on a particular week. We've already seen the Dolphins, Colts, Vikings and Falcons fall by the wayside in week one. Now there are eight contenders left, and only three games required to win it all.

Here are my AFC playoff predictions: Steelers 16-10 over San Diego in another very tough game. Baltimore will prevail 21-17 over Tennessee in a fantastic game.

The following week the Steelers will defeat the Ravens 14-13 in Pittsburgh largely because the Ravens were so beaten up from the Titans game the week before.

In the NFC, the Eagles are going to upset the Giants in New York 27-21.

In the other matchup, the Cardinals will lose to the Carolina Panthers, 35-28

In the NFC Championship, the Eagles will lose on a last second field goal to Carolina, once again missing out on a chance at an all-Pennsylvania Superbowl , 23-21.

So in yer basic SuperBowl, look at having yer Stillers facing the Panthers and carting home Trophy number VI. This is going to be another extremely difficult game with the defense prevailing once again 10-9 in one of the most tense SuperBowls ever played. The offense will not score a touchdown in this game. James Harrison will cause a fumble and return it for the winning score becoming MVP in the process.

So there you have it. No surprise, if the Steelers are to win SuperBowl XLIII, they will win it with their great defense.

Notice that I'm expecting that the Steelers over the next three games are expected to score 16, 14 and 10 points (for a total of 40) with seven of those being scored by the defense. That's not exactly a ringing endorsement for their offense, but it is a belief that the best defense in the league will get it done three more times allowing just 32 points over those same three games.

Mike Tomlin will get his first ring and it will have only taken him two years! Fasten your chinstrap granny, the train's about to leave the station!

"I hear you could scratch my back with a hacksaw!!!"

Mellon Arena

Another Pittsburgh Icon soon to be blown up. They should've made this into the "North Pole Casino". It would've been great!

Chuck Tanner Figurine

Quite possibly the worst sports likeness ever foisted upon the figurine-bobblehead collecting public

Pittsburgh Icon WITH HIS ICON

Waving The Icon He Created ! God Bless You Myron!

Help Spread The Word!

If you're a new reader of "Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" I'd love to hear your comments! You can either leave a comment on an individual article or email me directly if you have a story or link at: angelospagnolo66@hotmail.com. I hope you enjoy reading "Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" as much as I enjoy composing it!

Jack "Splat" Lambert

"Count Dracula In Cleats". I wonder how he feels about Hines Ward getting fined for hitting people too hard?

Maz Bobblehead

Doesn't Look Like Him at all.

"The Mendoza Line"

Baseball's Equivalent of the Worst Avid Golfer. I'd like to meet him, but it could cause a crack in the "space-time continuum".

"The Poison Brothers"

We Miss You Myron

About Me

I'm well known for my golf exploits as "America's Worst Avid Golfer" (Golf Digest Magazine, 1985). I took 66 strokes on the island hole at the TPC in Florida (losing 27 balls in the process) thus the 66 on my profile. For the whole gristly story: http://commodoreclub.org/administrative/257_for_18_holes.htm/

"Beat the Broncos...

DICK GROAT

Falling Below Mendoza Line

"P.B.& G." Editor brings another title home to Pittsburgh in 1985 as "Worst Avid Golfer". Click on the photo to see CBS' coverage!

Subscribe Now: poweredby

GOOGLE LINKS

GOOGLE ANALYTICS

PITTSBURGH PANORAMA

Here's another beautiful shot of one of the world's most picturesque cities.

WHO WE ARE, WHAT WE DO AND WHY WE DO IT

"Pittsburgh's Black and Gold" is a regularly published blog site that is not sponsored or endorsed by any of the teams that it reports on (Steelers, Penguins, Pirates). All pictures are used here without prior permission. However, if we have used your picture and you would like us to take it down, we will gladly comply with your request. Our mission statement at "PB&G" is to provide an additional insight into all things Black & Gold both for current Pittsburgh residents and for those transplanted Pittsburghers who will always call "The 'Burgh" home.